From our 10 years of research we know CIOs now have that seat at the table. Their role has changed and will continue to be critical as companies capitalize on IoT and other emerging techs—what we are calling “nextgen digital.” With the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), all manner of new information and operational technologies, from tiny sensors to massive data analytics engines, will become an instrumental part of how industrial companies conduct business. And it will be up to CIOs not just to manage the effort, but to make it happen. In our recent Digital IQ survey, we found that companies where the IIoT agenda is a high priority, CEOs are solely involved with digital strategy, investments, and capabilities.

Thus, the CIO must work closely with the CEO, and educate the board, and other C-suite executives about the benefits of the IIoT. They will help lead the design, implement the required company-wide technology architecture, aid in measuring the business outcomes, and lead the change management effort to ensure compliance with the new way of doing business. As they say, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.